After receiving a warm welcome on their arrival at the Mumbai airport, India U-19 skipper Prithvi Shaw and head-coach Rahul Dravid interacted with the media personnel on February 5. The entire team clicked photographs together with the trophy after which the coach and the U-19 Indian skipper answered questions and described their experience back there in New Zealand while playing the World Cup.
Rahul Dravid praised the efforts of the boys in blue and was happy that the team under his coaching finally brought the trophy home. While speaking at the press conference, Dravid said,
“The real satisfaction was in the process. Planning and developing of U-19 players was in place. I am really happy because of these fifteen boys winning the World Cup. The way they have played and executed in pressure, these kinds of things give you happiness.”
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Victorious Under 19 World Cup Indian team & coach Rahul Dravid gather for a group photo in Mumbai. #BoysBleedBlue pic.twitter.com/B93n4MqlI1
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) February 5, 2018
Dravid went on to state how the boys feel during the tournament and what they experienced when they stepped out of the Mumbai airport. He said,
“I don’t think we played our number one game in the final, but playing such a high-pressure final in such a big tournament is another experience. Then coming to Mumbai and seeing excitement, noise and so many people around them, that is another kind of experience.”
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Dravid has also cleared that winning the U-19 World Cup was not the end but is the actual beginning. He said,
“This generation of players are fit, aggressive and play positive cricket. The challenges and the hard work now start from here. From here on, the boys can step into the first-class matches and perform there & then make an entry into the higher level.”
Skipper Prithvi Shaw spoke about the experience he gathered from this tournament and how his game got bettered. He said,
“It is all about the experience. Obviously, when you go to a higher level, you get good experience from your senior players. You get many things from them. Things which help you in your game. Scoring runs in Ranji Trophy or U-19 matches helped me a lot, it really mattered.”
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Shaw gave all the credit to his father for his success. He also thanked the support staff, Rahul Dravid and BCCI for having faith in him. He said,
“It was a difficult journey for me, all credit to my Dad. I am really happy, thanks to everyone for supporting me. I thank everyone for supporting me, thank BCCI for giving me an opportunity to captain the Indian side, thank Rahul Dravid sir.”
